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Lung Cancer

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LUNG CANCER
Mohamed Almasmary
Bio240 Anatomy Physiology 1
4/13/14

Lung cancer is a cancer (malignancy) that originates in the tissues of the lungs or the cells lining the airways. Lung cancer originates when normal lung cells become cancer cells, usually after a series of mutations, and begin to divide out of control.

Lung Cancer is a disease which consists of uncontrolled cell growth in lung tissues. Lung cancer consists of two types, Non-small cell lung cancer, and small cell lung cancer. (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. The bronchi are the large air tubes leading from the trachea to the lungs that convey air to and from the lungs, and where most lung cancers begin. The body normally maintains cell growth only …show more content…

The treatments for lung cancer depends on the stage and type of lung cancer and involves Surgery, Radiation therapy, Chemotherapy, Targeted therapy, and Lung cancer is usually treated with a combination of therapies in general. In surgery the tumor and the nearby lymph nodes in the chest are typically removed to offer the best chance for a cure. For non-small cell lung cancer, a lobectomy which involves the removal of the entire lobe where the tumor is located has shown to be very effective. Unfortunately, Surgery may not be possible in some patient due to the stage and type of lung cancer they have. Chemotherapy involves drugs used to kill cancer cells. A combination of medications is often used and may be prescribed before or after surgery, or radiation therapy. It can improve survival and lessen lung cancer symptoms in all patients, even those with widespread lung cancer. Radiation therapy contains the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to destroy cancer cells. Side effects include fatigue, malaise, loss of appetite, and skin irritation at the treatment site. Radiation pneumonitis is the irritation and inflammation of the lung, which occurs in 15% of patients. It is important that the radiation treatments avoid the healthy parts of the lung.
Lung Cancer Staging is a way of describing a cancer, such as the size of the tumor and where it has spread. Staging is the most important tool doctors have to determine a

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